EXPOS 06/13/03
June 13, 2003
LATEST TEAM INFO:
The Expos have continued their strong play throughout May and into the beginning of June and head into this weekend's series with the Oakland A's holding second spot in the NL East, six games behind the league leading Braves. In fact, the Expos have the fourth best record in all of baseball right now and are currently in the National League wild card spot. Much of this can be attributed to the work of their solid pitching staff as only the Cubs, Phillies, and Dodgers have lower ERAs in the National League than the Expos.
Timely hits have been common for the Expos this year and one of the most timely and best hitters has been Orlando Cabrera. After struggling at the plate for most of the 2002 season, Cabrera is back in a big way, ranking in the top 6 in most offensive categories at that position.
In a move that almost no one heard about, the Expos ended the Jeff Liefer experiment by placing the 28-year old first baseman on waivers, where he was claimed by the Devil Rays. Wil Cordero had won the job as starting first baseman as Liefer was hitting only .193 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 88 at-bats.
INJURIES:
Zach Day has a partially torn rotator cuff and was originally expected to miss eight weeks. However, he has been progressing ahead of schedule and could return earlier, although no date to begin throwing has been set.
Vladimir Guerrero has been placed on the DL with a herniated disk in his back. A specialist at the University of Miami has said that Guerrero does not need season ending surgery on the disk and therapy is the way to go in regards to this injury. After a couple of weeks of therapy, Guerrero will be re-evaluated and his future will be decided from there.
MOVES TO MAKE:
Add:
OF Brad Wilkerson - A solid average and some power potential
SS Orlando Cabrera - If by some chance he is available
Drop:
C Michael Barrett - Still not performing
1B Jeff Liefer - No longer on the team and no longer a fantasy consideration.
SP Zach Day - He has a slightly torn rotator cuff, which is usually a kiss of death for a pitcher.
Hold:
RF Vladimir Guerrero - Unless he opts for surgery, hang onto him.
CL Rocky Biddle - The clear-cut closer on a team that will win a lot of close games.
OVERVIEW:
What a finish it would be for this team in Montreal if they can hang onto the wildcard spot and make the playoffs. The have some stiff competition in Houston, Chicago, St. Louis, and Los Angeles, but if they get Vladdy back and continue to get solid starting pitching, I think they can hang in there right until the very end. One thing I have learned is to never count this team out.
